The REDiRECT project continues its dissemination activities aimed at the academic world. On March 24, one year after the first edition, the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia once again hosted the seminar “Technological Sustainability Assessment,” dedicated to students of the Product and Process Sustainability course of the Master's Degree in Management Engineering.

The meeting provided an opportunity to explore and update participants on the topic of technological sustainability, proposed as a possible fourth dimension of sustainable development, alongside the environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The seminar allowed participants to review and consolidate the content introduced in the previous edition, integrating it with developments made during the project.

Following the holistic vision of Life Cycle Thinking and the methodological framework defined by ISO 14040, the project team presented a structured framework for assessing technological sustainability. In particular, approaches for analysis at the organizational level (O-TSA) and at the product or process level (P-TSA) were presented, highlighting their purposes and differences in application.

Within this framework, the mathematical model underlying the construction of the Technological Sustainability Index, a tool designed to support the evaluation and comparison of technological performance, was examined in depth. The focus was on the logic behind the construction of the index and its role in providing a concise and structured overview of technological sustainability.

The final part of the seminar analyzed the possible operational applications of the tool, with particular reference to its use within the REDiRECT project. Examples of its use in research and development activities were illustrated, highlighting the index's contribution to supporting design and strategic decisions.

The second edition of the seminar confirmed students' interest in emerging issues and innovative methodologies, strengthening the dialogue between university teaching and applied research. The initiative is part of the dissemination of the results of the REDiRECT project and contributes to promoting an integrated and measurable vision of technological sustainability.

The seminar slides are available at the following link.